Tobacco-stick.



W. A. STYERS.

TOBACCO STICK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 24- I916.

1,268,144. Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

ln :m /n W A s J inventor Witnesses I A w by Attorneys TIE T PA C j WILLIAM A. STYERS, 0F CLEIVIMONS, NORTH CAROLINA, AS-SIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 RUFUS C. STYERS, OF CLEMMONS, NORTH CAROLINA.

TOBACCO-STICK.

Application filed March 24, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. STYERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Glemmons, in the county of Forsyth and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful Tobacco-Stick, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to tobacco sticks, such as are used for suspending tobacco leaves during the preliminary curing thereof, and it is the object of the invention to provide a tobacco stick having simple and inexpensive yet eflicacious means for holding the leaves, the leaves being readily applied to the stick and being held in place in a satisfactory manner to facilitate the preliminary curing of the leaves without the liability of their being scalded or otherwise injured.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fragmental portion of the stick.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental plan view of the stick.

The invention utilizes a wooden stick or bar 1 of any suitable length, and upon the opposite sides of this stick I are disposed longitudinal series of arcuate leaf springs 2 for clamping the stems of the leaves against the stick. These springs 52 are arranged longitudinally of the stick and are provided with flat basal portions 3 resting against the sides of the stick and secured rigidly to the stick by means of rivets I or other securing elements. The springs or clips 2 project away from the intermediate portion of the bar, and the springs are arranged in pairs upon the opposite sides, in order that each pair of springs can be secured in place by a single securing element. The free ends of the springs 2 bear against the basal portions or butt ends of the companion springs,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

Serial No. 86,437.

due to the resiliency of the springs, and said free ends are curved outwardly away from the stick, as at 5, to permit of the ready insertion of the leaves behind the springs.

In using the stick, the stems of the leaves can be readily slipped between the free ends of the springs and the stick, to be moved into place behind the springs, whereby said springs will clamp the leaves against the stick. The free ends of the springs in bearing against the basal portions of the companion springs will reduce the wear of the stick, as would be the case if the free ends of the springs worked against the stick. Furthermore, the stems can be readily passed between the free ends of the springs and basal portions of the companion springs. The leaves can be applied to the stick by one hand, which is convenient and labor saving in the use of the present stick, and the leaves are held in a desirable manner against the sides of the stick, without injurious effects. The leaves can be readily withdrawn from the springs. The intermediate portion of the stick provides a handle and can be grasped by the hand for manipulating the stick, and the stick can be readily turned end for end in applying the leaves to the halves thereof. The stick can be applied to suitable supports for suspending the leaves during the curing process.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A tobacco stick having a handle at its intermediate portion to be grasped by the hand for manipulating the stick, sets of leaf springs at opposite sides of the stick having basal portions secured partly to the sides thereof, the leaf springs being bowed away from the stick and projecting from said handle toward the opposite ends of the stick, said basal portions of the springs serving as wear pieces for the companion springs which have their free ends bearing thereagainst.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afliXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM A. STYERS.

Witnesses:

C. M. MGKAUGHAN, BURTON A. STYERS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

